Tuesday, May 27, 2008

The only thing peachy is Jimmy's diet


There's no such thing as an easy transplant.

The Kepivance, administered for several days before and after high dose chemotherapy, proved less effective this time than it was in January, and the lining of Jimmy's mouth and throat is inflamed and very painful. He probably hasn't had 200 calories all day: more canned peaches and a few bites of the ramen noodle soup I fixed for him in the microwave, and he had to force that down. If the discomfort hasn't subsided by tomorrow, they're going to put him on a morphine pump for a couple of days. They would have done it sooner, but Jimmy didn't want it. He hates feeling so doped up.

The endless parade of bags of intravenous fluid continues: platelets were needed today, and his low potassium level still needs constant bolstering. His temperature fluctuates from normal to 101, so the antibiotics and anti fungals are added to the mix. There's always something.

Did I mention that he can't get any rest because, with all the liquids being pumped in, he has to get up and go to the bathroom every hour or two? Needless to say, he is very grumpy and out of sorts. As well he should be.

Things should start getting better soon.

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